Breaking
- Vagif Khachatryan
Civilian (70) detained in July 2023 at the Lachin checkpoint during a Red Cross medical evacuation and sentenced to 15 years following a sham trial. - Vicken Euljekjian
Lebanese–Armenian civilian detained after the 2020 war and sentenced to 20 years following a sham trial, raising serious due process concerns. - Gevorg Sujyan
Detained on 11 November 2020 while transporting humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh and sentenced to 15 years after a sham trial. - Davit Davtyan
Captured alongside Gevorg Sujyan on 11 November 2020 and sentenced to 15 years following a sham trial.
“It is a profound relief to see these four Armenian hostages return from the nightmare they were forced to endure in Azerbaijan,” said Global ARM President Timothy Jemal. “Their freedom is long overdue. Global ARM continues to demand the release of every Armenian civilian and prisoner currently being illegally held by Ilham Aliyev.”
Azerbaijan continues to illegally detain at least 19 Armenian hostages. Human rights organizations, including the Center for Truth and Justice, have repeatedly raised concerns that Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan are held as political prisoners, in violation of international legal standards.
Secretary Rubio meets with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan
Secretary Rubio commented that the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) “opens up Armenia for business and allows it to prosper ecnomically but it does so in a way that doesn’t in any way infringe on the sovereignty of Armenia.”
Mirzoyan, Rubio Approve Joint U.S.-Armenia Statement on TRIPP Implementation Framework
The sides approved the joint statement on the US-Armenia Implementation Framework for the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).TRIPP positions Armenia as a strategic logistics hub strentheing access to Europe, Central Asia, and global markets.
- The TRIPP Implementation Framework (TIF) sets out the planned implementation of the TRIPP and is non-binding, creating no legal obligations for Armenia or the United States.
- TRIPP builds on the August 8 Joint Declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan, aiming to open regional transport and communication links.
- The project envisions unimpeded multimodal transit through Armenia, while explicitly affirming Armenia’s full sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction.
- TRIPP is intended to connect Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan and strengthen the Trans-Caspian trade route, while providing economic and connectivity benefits for Armenia.
- A TRIPP Development Company is proposed, with a U.S. controlling stake and Armenian oversight of key decisions, operating entirely within Armenian sovereign territory.
- Armenia retains exclusive authority over border control, customs, security, taxation, and law enforcement along the route.
- Border and customs procedures will adhere to international standards, utilizing a “front office – back office” model to enhance efficiency without outsourcing sovereign functions.
- The framework links TRIPP’s success to regional peace, new supply chains with Armenia as the anchor, Armenia–Azerbaijan normalization, and sustained U.S. engagement.
Pope Leo Urged to Push for Release of Armenian Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan
By Anugrah Kumar
A group of Catholic and Armenian Apostolic leaders is urging Pope Leo XIV to appeal for the release of at least 23 Artsakh-Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, citing their deteriorating condition and the destruction of Christian heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh. “Azerbaijan’s campaign extends beyond the imprisonment of the living to the destruction of sacred heritage itself,” the letter states.
“Recent documentation reveals that Azerbaijan has systematically destroyed more Christian monuments and churches in Nagorno-Karabakh than ISIS destroyed in Iraq and Syria, an erasure of nearly two millennia of Christian civilization, including medieval churches, monasteries, and countless sacred sites.”
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan Meets President Donald Trump, Reaffirms U.S. Support for Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met President Donald Trump during a White House event for newly appointed ambassadors, underscoring the importance of Armenia–U.S. diplomatic relations.
President Trump reaffirmed his unconditional support for peace efforts, referencing the historic agreements signed at the White House on August 8 and emphasizing the Armenian people’s right to lasting peace. Trump praised Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s leadership and role in advancing the peace process, presenting him with a personally inscribed gift as a symbol of high appreciation.
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
70-Year-Old Armenian Hostage Vagif Khachatryan in Critical Condition in Baku Prison
Vagif Khachatryan, a 70-year-old Armenian civilian kidnapped by Azerbaijani authorities during his medical transport under the care of the ICRC from Nagorno- Karabakh to Armenia amid the blockade in October 2023, is now in critical condition in Baku prison. His case reflects a well-documented pattern of unlawful detention, medical neglect, and denial of humanitarian access faced by Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan’s Sham Trial: Mentally Unstable Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian Sentenced to 16 Years
Avanesyan, one of the few Armenians who remained in Nagorno-Karabakh after the 2023 ethnic cleansing and with documented mental health challenges, was arrested in September 2025. His trial at the Ganja Court on Grave Crimes, launched on 11 December, lasted less than a month and excluded independent media and observers.
Azerbaijani Propaganda Continues to Incite Hatred amid Armenia’s Pursuit of Peace
By Davo Barseghyan
In a climate of high political tension, Baku and Ankara used media outlets, social networks, and other platforms to mobilize Turkic-speaking audiences, justify their actions, and discredit Armenian society.
In turn, the contributions of ethnic Armenians fighting for Ukraine’s freedom against Russian aggression underscore the Armenian people’s solidarity with democratic values. Azerbaijani efforts to portray these individuals as “terrorists” appear designed to divert international attention from its own human rights violations in Artsakh.
Aliyev Opens ‘Victory Park’ in Stepanakert on Site of Demolished Armenian Neighbourhood
The newly inaugurated so called “Victory Park” in occupied Stepanakert is designed to glorify Azerbaijan’s military success in the 2020 war and the 2023 offensive, using symbolic architecture such as 44 steps and a 44-metre arch to represent the duration of the second Nagorno-Karabakh War.
The park was built on land where a historic Armenian neighbourhood and former Nagorno-Karabakh government buildings once stood, reflecting the extensive physical and demographic transformation of Stepanakert after Azerbaijan ethnically cleansed the territory of all Armenians.
The Victory Park is part of Azerbaijan’s broader state-led effort to memorialise the conflict, following earlier projects like the Military Trophy Park, which faced international criticism for dehumanising representations of Armenians and the war.
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
Genesis Armenia Marks 5 Years by Publishing Landmark Maps Documenting Artsakh’s Cultural Heritage
Genesis Armenia published exclusive, research-based maps inventorying Artsakh’s monasteries, churches, fortresses, and castles. The project serves as a legally and politically significant record to preserve evidence of Artsakh’s historical and cultural heritage for future generations.
Photos of the Week
U.S. Embassy Yerevan’s Marine Detachment delivered gifts from the Embassy community to students of School No. 2 in Chambarak, continuing the beloved annual tradition of bringing holiday joy to local children.
Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.
The U.S. Embassy Yerevan and Yerevan’s Central Isahakyan Library celebrate 20 years of the Yerevan American Corner. Ambassador Kvien and Library Director Ruzanna Barseghyan signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming their partnership in education, cultural exchange, and youth innovation.
Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.
American Studies Program students completed a semester-long certificate course led by California State University, Northridge faculty. The program, offered through Yerevan State University and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, strengthens academic ties and promotes policy-oriented education.
Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.
At the Gyumri American Corner, Cultural Attaché Nathan Austin engaged local high school students in a lively discussion on U.S. culture, education, and student programs, fostering curiosity and dialogue.
Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.
Security
U.S. Secretary of State Says American Diplomacy Averted Armenia–Azerbaijan War
Highlighting the peace declaration signed on August 8 in Washington in the presence of President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement played a crucial role in de-escalating tensions between the two countries. Rubio emphasized that key security commitments made by the U.S. President are beingvimplemented and expressed optimism about future progress, noting that “the best is yet to come.”
EUMA Marks 1,000th Patrol in Yeghegnadzor
The European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) conducted its 1,000th patrol in Yeghegnadzor yesterday. Since its launch, EUMA has carried out over 7,000 patrols nationwide, supporting transparency, stability, and civilian security.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Highlights Strengthening Partnership with Armenia
NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska visited Armenia, meeting top officials to discuss NATO-Armenia relations, regional stability, and defence cooperation. She praised Armenia’s contributions to NATO missions and emphasized the importance of advancing the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agenda for lasting regional security.
Economy
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan Highlights TRIPP Initiative at Washington Roundtable
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan took part in the South Caucasus and Central Asia Ambassadors’ Roundtable on the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), organized by the US–Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. In his remarks, Ambassador Mkrtchyan stressed that TRIPP has become a key component of the region’s strategic framework and underscored President Trump’s pivotal role in advancing the initiative.
World Bank Approves $250 Million Initiative to Expand Affordable Housing for Refugees in Armenia
The project will provide immediate rental assistance to over 40,000 refugees and support around 6,500 refugee households in acquiring permanent homes through mortgage subsidies, helping families achieve stability and security.
Armenia and U.S. Discuss Expanding Cooperation on Agricultural Exports and Food Safety
The Head of Armenia’s Food Safety Inspectorate, Tigran Petrosyan, met with a U.S. Department of Agriculture delegation in Yerevan to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation. Talks centered on expanding Armenian agricultural exports to the U.S., especially products of plant and animal origin, as well as improving laboratory capacity, digitalization, and product traceability systems. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expressed readiness to support Armenia in overcoming sector challenges, while Armenia announced preparations to join the ePhyto program by 2026 to simplify export procedures, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation.
Education
Armenian Government Launches AI Computing Support Pilot Program in Partnership with AWS
The Armenian government approved a pilot program to provide subsidized access to high-performance computing resources for AI development, implemented with Amazon Web Services (AWS) through the Artificial Intelligence Virtual Institute (AIVI).
The initiative aims to support startups, research teams, educational institutions, and individual experts, fostering sustainable, long-term growth of Armenia’s high-tech sector in line with state policy.
U.S. Embassy Expands American Corners Partnerships Across Armenia
New Memoranda of Understanding with Charentsavan and Lori libraries strengthen local access to American Corners programs, offering cultural, educational, and skill-building opportunities to communities across Armenia.
Opinion
Greenwashing Genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan, COP29, and the Silence of the NGOs
By Arshak Makichyan, in collaboration with the Lemkin Institute
This article examines how Azerbaijan has greenwashed the genocide of the over 3,000-year-old Armenian community in Artsakh. While Artsakh represents a textbook example of greenwashing, the case includes two unique elements. First, the Azerbaijani government staged disingenuous “popular” environmental protests to enforce a full blockade of the region. Second, it exploited international conferences, most notably the 2024 U.N. Climate Change Conference (known as Conference of the Parties 29, or COP29), to legitimize the forcible displacement of Artsakh Armenians.
International human rights organizations typically focus on political repression, while environmental organizations largely avoid politically sensitive cases of ecological destruction linked to genocide or other crimes against humanity.
In Armenia’s Syunik Province, Residents Endure Despite Uncertainty
By Sandra Sadek
Syunik Province in Armenia is a focal point of reconciliation efforts between the country and its longtime opponent, Azerbaijan. A proposed trade corridor named after U.S. President Donald Trump, the centerpiece of the provisional peace deal signed in Washington last August, is expected to soon cut through the province.
For decades, however, Syunik Province has been unsettled by conflict. The experience of Nerkin Hand, a village close to the Armenian-Azerbaijani frontier, is illustrative of the damage done by the absence of peace.
